When Apple sent out their press release last week about their upcoming 128GB iPad, we chose to headline it as "Apple Thinks Enterprise" due to the focus the press release took. A specific reference by AutoCAD's VP Amy Bunszel stated that users of the new 128GB iPad would have an advantage in being able to view, edit and share large and highly detailed AutoCAD files. Apple's press release emphasized that all Fortune 500 and 85% of Global 500 companies are currently deploying or testing the iPad. Devices powered by iOS have opened the door for Apple in the enterprise market where OS X could never. So it comes as no surprise to hear that Apple has acquired some rather high-end enterprise-class software to take the iPad to the next level. Yesterday, Montreal based Maya-Systems revealed in a press release that they sold user interface patents to Apple relating to their Axis-based technology which is behind their IamOrganized workflow management tool that is cloud based.
Maya Systems first introduced their IAmOrganized solution at CES 2012 and framed it as the next disruptive technology. They described their product by stating it was the first all-in-one content management, sharing platform and workflow management software to use an axis-based interface. IAmOrganized brings content management to a whole new level by harnessing the hottest trend in content viewing and turning it into a tool used to store, sort, retrieve, and share files of any format.
Mathieu Audet, President of Montreal-based Maya-Systems stated at the time that "Axis are the new way to view content. But so far they've only been used to display files." The IamOrganized platform unleashes "the full power of axis by making them an integrated working tool."
Interestingly, while axis are slowly but surely becoming ubiquitous thanks to touch and portable devices, Maya Systems began its patenting strategy in the early 2000's, ahead of the big names in the industry.
IAmOrganized also renders multi-click location-based folder trees obsolete by bringing in attribute-based classification.
Designed for both personal and business use, IAmOrganized might just become the new universal way to manage files. It is fully customizable to suit needs in all sectors. It can be used on both PCs and Mac's and with an array of portable devices."
The initial news of Apple acquiring 18 Maya-Systems was reported on yesterday by Eric Slivka of MacRumors. You could view a screenshot of the IAmOrganized interface that is zoom-able and read an overview of this interesting system here. Their sample UI illustrates how you could organize photos, project documents (incoming and outgoing) and communications/email in a single viewable window that is swipable on on a touch display. I could easily see why Apple wanted the patents to this.
The one-time consumer centric Apple is now most definitely making a push further into the enterprise due to iOS based devices. Apple's acquisition of Maya-Systems interface patents that are geared for touch centric devices will provide Apple with the means to introduce next generation iWork Pro level applications at some time in the future.
Apple has placed a great deal of energy behind marketing the iPad to the enterprise market with site dedicated to business. The site includes high profile segments covering Companies that are integrating the iPad into their respective Companies. Some of Apple's segments highlight Companies such as Pepsi, global pharmaceutical company Daiichi Sankyo, Redlands Police Department, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Taiwan's EVA Airlines, Canada's CTV News and Standard Charted Bank. If you're a small business owner reading this report, then you should check out Apple's iPad solutions website to see how the iPad could help your business.
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